A handful of adventurous students are anticipating an exciting journey to Rwanda, which is set to take place during the summer of 2026.
Sophie Fierst, who teaches Leadership, US History and AP Government, is organizing this trip as a passionate traveler and devoted to ensuring that her students have the opportunity to make discoveries and have new experiences.
“My job is to get students signed up, talk to parents, get to know the students, travel with them and make sure everybody is safe and having a good time on our trip,” Fierst said. “I think travel is an amazing way to promote interest in a country’s history, current events and culture.”
This will be Fierst’s first time visiting Rwanda, which gives her the chance to learn and make meaningful memories alongside students.
“I picked it because I’ve heard great things about the country from our Rwandan students at WJ and I wanted to offer the chance to bring more WJ to see this country in person,” Fierst said. “As a history teacher, I find that just going to a new place prompts me to learn much more about the area.”
The itinerary of the trip is still in the works, but several activities have already been thought out. The group will spend the first half of the 10-day adventure learning about Rwanda’s government, culture and history. They will visit the capital city of Kigali, then the city of Butare where they will go to the Ethnographic Museum and King’s Palace.
The second half of the trip will allow students to explore Rwanda’s expansive nature, as they will hike in Nyungwe National Park, kayak on Lake Kivu and tour a farm to learn about coffee and tea production.
Allison Ewing, who teaches AP Psychology and AP African American Studies, is accompanying Fierst as a chaperone. This is also her first trip to Rwanda.
“Traveling to any place requires a healthy balance of heightened awareness and flexibility,” Ewing said. “Traveling with others with the same healthy balance helps to make the trip a success. I’m especially excited to travel with Ms. Fierst and students from WJ.”
Ewing is looking forward to getting to know students outside of the classroom, as traveling alongside them will allow students and teachers alike to enjoy each other’s company in a new, refreshing context.
“About nine years ago, I chaperoned a trip to Cambodia with students from the school I was teaching at,” Ewing said. “Those students have graduated college and now are living their best adult lives and I remain in touch with many of them and still reminisce about the fun and adventures we had together. I think that’s priceless.”
Sophomore Kayla Isaro Mitali is from Rwanda and is looking forward to the opportunity to visit home with her American classmates.
“I’m looking forward to visiting my country with a tourist perspective rather than a local’s,” Isaro Mitali said. “I grew up there, but I’m mostly curious to know how [my classmates] are going to react to certain parts of our culture.”
